January 13th meeting of the Blue Ridge Fiber Guild

We are meeting a week earlier this month due to a conflict our presenter had so join us on January 13th from 10:30 – 12:30 at the  Western Watauga Community Center – 1081 Old US Hwy 421, Sugar Grove, NC 28679.

Blue Ridge Fiber Guild Workshop Jan 2018 presented by: Susan Sharpe

Designing Ikat Warps: Ikat is a resist-dyeing method of creating color and pattern in weaving. Sections of warp can be blocked out with a plastic wrap which resists color when dyed later. Susan Sharpe will show samples of ikat projects and demonstrate the basic technique for designing warps. She will also demonstrate how to warp and weave on an inkle loom.

Part 1: You can choose to use warping boards or a clamp set-up to wind out warps of various lengths, then wrap areas to resist dye. Bring warps you would like to use, or choose from our assortment. 2, 3, or 4-ply cotton warp or cotton/rayon blends will give good results. Wool and silk are okay, if you are planning to use a heated dye bath. Good project ideas are belts, guitar straps, or even shoe laces for inkle looms, or placemats and scarves for rigid heddle looms.

Part 2: We will schedule a dye workshop at Redwing Studio in the spring or summer, which will feature natural indigo and madder from Stony Creek Colors in Tennessee. We will check out their website to see some color possibilities. We can easily do black walnut or other colors, too.

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